listening at the speed of life

Happy Wednesday, Sweethearts. How are you? I pray you’re doing well. As I wind down, here is a thought for us to chew on.

When James Bond orders his signature martini, he likes it one way and one way only – shaken, not stirred. There’s a lesson to be learned in that phrase.

Sometimes we need a shaking. We get settled in a rut of disappointment or in the complacency of goodness. The best parts of us can settle to the bottom, to the core of who we are and all anyone can taste is the supplemental contents of our purpose.

Shaking up anything doesn’t feel good, including our inner selves. There’s a chaotic mess that’s supposed to be good in the end. Did you know that the shaking of a cocktail provides aeration which changes the texture and consistency of it? How many of us need a texture change so we can live life as a better version of ourselves?

Stirred. At least stirring looks organized. It seems civil, right? It is anything but. Consider a dizzy symphony of ingredients learning that they need each other in order for the best flavor to be experienced. It’s strategic. Even the ice cube size matters. Needless to say, we need stirring too. The events of life make us loopy sometimes and we can’t see the flavor it brings to us in the mix of the moment. Remember, flavor is meant to tasted, and texture is designed to be seen and felt.

It may be unfair, chaotic, frustrating, or even exhilarating, but I guarantee that you become a more refined being after trials and joys of life are experienced (Romans 8:28). Wisdom ensues and anyone who meets you will be able to enjoy the divine blend of a beautiful creation called YOU.

I choose not to drink alcohol, but I respect the skill and the artform of bartending. Perhaps we should ask God for the same treatment… to blend our gifts, talents, life lessons, scars, and accomplishments into the best refreshment the world could have ever consume. We all need to host flavor AND texture. There’s a lot of thirst out here.